Maine State Ballet School Faculty
Jessica Bartlett
Instructor, Maine State Ballet Soloist
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Jessica has danced with the MSB company for many seasons in roles such as Columbine Doll, Spanish and Coffee from Arabia in The Nutcracker, Tiger Lily in Alice in Wonderland, Cobweb Fairy in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Winter Fairy in Cinderella. In addition to being a graduate of MSB’s teacher training program and on the MSB faculty, she is actively pursuing her goal of becoming a service dog trainer.
Catherine Bartshe
Instructor
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Ms. Cat loves teaching! She received her dance training in Maine at Dance Unlimited in Augusta, Maine State Ballet, and The Dance Center in Auburn. She also attended The Joffrey Ballet School Jazz and Contemporary Summer Intensive in New York City. She performed in many of Maine State Ballet’s productions including The Nutcracker, Tap, Tap, Jazz, The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty.
Barry Brinker
Instructor, Maine State Ballet Company Member
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For the past 35 years, Barry has been sharing the joy of dance with thousands of students nationwide. Before she became a teacher, Barry was a professional dancer in New York City. She then received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance Education from The University of Maryland. She is the proud recipient of numerous grants awarded by The National Endowment for the Arts. She was honored to teach with Jacques D'amboise for The National Dance Institute in NYC. Students are enthralled by Barry's loving, kind, and energetic nature. But, it is her compassion for dance and contagious enthusiasm, that most inspires her students.
Abigail Cronin
Instructor, Dancer with Maine State Ballet
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Abigail joins the Maine State Ballet faculty with a robust background in both classical and contemporary ballet. Hailing from Port St. Lucie, Florida, Abigail trained at esteemed institutions including Treasure Coast Ballet Company, Ponte Vedra Ballet, and East Coast Ballet. She has participated in prestigious workshops at the Joffrey School of Ballet and Alonzo King LINES Ballet, among others. Abigail's performance credits include performances with the Moscow Ballet.
Emma Davis
Rehearsal Assistant, Instructor, Maine State Ballet Principal
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An enthusiastic and talented teacher, Emma grew up at Maine State Ballet and is a graduate of the MSB's teacher training program. Favorite roles include Clara and Dew Drop Fairy in The Nutcracker, Guardian Angel in Hansel and Gretel, Swanhilda in Coppélia, Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Belle in Beauty and the Beast. Emma is a graduate of Brigham Young University-Idaho with a B.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy
Glenn Davis
Managing Director, Instructor, Choreographer, Maine State Ballet Principal
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Former baseball player turned ballet dancer, Glenn has performed all the leading dramatic and comedic roles with MSB including Franz in Coppélia, Basilio in Don Quixote, Conrad in Le Corsaire, the Baron in Can Can Parisien, and the prince role in Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Paquita, Firebird, The Nutcracker, and Swan Lake. Trained in the Balanchine style® with Linda Miele and Adam Luders of the New York City Ballet, he has also performed extensively in neo-classical ballets including George Balanchine’s Serenade, and Linda Miele’s Bach Concerti, Britten, Stravinsky, and Souvenir. He also has been seen onstage at the Maine State Music Theater and other local theaters. Glenn choreographs, teaches, and stages MSB ballets here and across the United States and internationally. He has a B.A. in History/Education and an M.B.A. from the University of Maine.
Janet Davis
Artistic Director, Instructor, Maine State Ballet Company Member
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MSB’s prolific ballerina, Janet has captivated audiences with her performances as Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, Dew Drop Fairy and Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, Kitri in Don Quixote, and as the leading role in The Firebird to name a few. She trained extensively in the Balanchine style® with Linda Miele and Adam Luders of the New York City Ballet, for many years. Her training includes years of tap, jazz, and modern dance from teachers such as Broadway veteran Jonathan Miele, former Rockette member Pamela Romanoff, and former Ram Island Dance members Sara Whale and Larry Lee VanHorne. As an accomplished pianist, Janet received her musical training from Dr. Richard Nickerson and Karla Kelly Brenner. Prominent students include Broadway and movie performers (Tony Nominated) Robyn Hurder, and Leigh-Ann and Sara Esty.
Katie Desantis
Instructor, Maine State Ballet Company Member
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Longtime faculty and Maine State Ballet Company member, Katie grew up at Maine State Ballet and was accepted into notable summer programs such as Boston Ballet, The Rock School, and Julliard during her time here. After high school Katie danced at Marymount Manhattan College in New York. After returning to Maine she studied nursing at SMCC and is a Certified Nursing Assistant and group fitness instructor. Katie's versatile style enabled her to perform diverse roles such as Princess Elena in The Firebird, the Gypsy Queen in Don Quixote, Dark Angel in Serenade, Spanish Princess in Swan Lake, and the Fourth Movement soloist in Miele's Bach Concerti.
Courtney Edwards
Instructor
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After a brief hiatus to start a family, Courtney returns to Maine State Ballet! Courtney was a long-time member of the Maine State Ballet company reaching the status of Soloist. She also taught at the Maine State Ballet School of many years. She is the mother of 2 children & enjoys many activities like bowling and going to craft fairs. Welcome back Courtney!
Arie Eiten
Instructor, Maine State Ballet Principal
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Arie is a graduate of Exercise Science from USM and is a personal trainer with NXGen Fitness Center. Recent credits include the Nutcracker Prince and Cavalier in The Nutcracker, The Beast in Beauty and the Beast, Franz in Coppélia, Prince Charming in Cinderella, and Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Charlotte Ferguson
Instructor, Maine State Ballet Company Member
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Charlotte began her training with Maine State Ballet, where she quickly fell in love with dancing. As a latecomer to the ballet world, she is passionate about introducing others to the magic of dance. Her favorite ballets include The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. A graduate of MSB’s teacher training program, she looks forward to sharing her love of tap, ballet, jazz, and musical theater.
London Ferre
Instructor, Dancer with Maine State Ballet
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London received most of her training with Nashville Ballet before moving to Indianapolis to train with Indiana Ballet Conservatory. After high school, she spent a year as a trainee with Philadelphia Ballet and later joined the studio training company at Texas Ballet Theater. London has participated in numerous prestigious summer intensives, including American Ballet de Paris, Joffrey Ballet, Ballet West, Washington Ballet, and Alonzo King LINES Ballet. She was also accepted to programs at American Ballet Theatre and Boston Ballet.
Gwen Haynes
Instructor, Maine State Ballet Company Member
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​A high school senior, Gwen is a member of the National Honors Society and enjoys volunteering and tutoring students. Recent MSB credits include Marzipan Shepherdess, Snowflake, and Flower in The Nutcracker, a Lobster in Alice in Wonderland, and a Woodland Fairy in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She is a graduate of MSB’s teacher training program and is excited to begin teaching her classes this year!
Carly Kasle
Instructor
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Carly is a lifelong dancer with a BFA in Dance Education from the University of Tennessee and an MA in Ballet Pedagogy from New York University. Fully certified in American Ballet Theatre’s National Training Curriculum, she has designed ballet curricula and developed a creative movement program for special needs students. Carly has performed in roles such as the Summer Fairy in Cinderella and the titular role in The Tales of Beatrix Potter. She has also directed and choreographed scenes from The Nutcracker, including a filmed version during the pandemic. Carly moved to Maine in 2022 with her husband and two cats, enjoying gardening and beach visits in her spare time.
Juliette Lauzier-Bridges
Instructor, Maine State Ballet Company Member
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“Ms. Juliette” has often been the first beloved teacher for many of Maine State Ballet’s aspiring young dancers. A founding member of the Maine State Ballet company, she is a longtime MSB faculty member, dancer, choreographer, and respected teacher throughout Maine. Additionally, she was a dancer for Portland’s Ram Island Dance Company. Favorite MSB roles include the Lady in Red in Can Can Parisien, Czardas Soloist in Coppélia, and Clara, the Spanish Soloist, Snowflake, and Demi Solo Flowers in The Nutcracker.
Jonathan Miele
Director, Instructor, Maine State Ballet Company Member
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A dancer with a rich history, Jonathan started at the Dorothy Mason School of Dance in Maine (now the Maine State Ballet). With training at the Boston Ballet School and a successful Broadway career, dancing alongside notable stars such as Carol Channing, Robert Preston, and Bernadette Peters, Jonathan has directed and choreographed shows for many local community and high school theaters. He is a long-time MSB company member, having played many character roles including Pasquale the tourist in Can Can Parisien, Drosselmeyer in The Nutcracker, and the Jester in Cinderella. His exuberant style of dance has made him a favorite among students seeking the excitement of big, Broadway-style choreography. His pride and joy is his family and he loves spending time with his many grandchildren.
Linda Miele
Resident Choreographer, Instructor
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Founder of the Maine State Ballet Company, Ms. Miele began her dance career in Boston and moved to New York by age 11 to attend the School of American Ballet. By age 13, she had become the youngest member accepted into the New York City Ballet Company where she performed at Lincoln Center in New York City and worldwide. Ms. Miele has had the privilege of working with some of the greatest artistic minds of the 20th century including her protégé and teacher George Balanchine, composer Igor Stravinsky, and Jerome Robbins. With over 30 ballets to her credit, she was appointed to the prestigious position of “repetiteur” for the George Balanchine Trust™, which entitles her to stage many of Mr. Balanchine’s ballets.
Agnes Norman
Instructor, Maine State Ballet Principal
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Agnes is currently pursuing a doctorate in Physical Therapy at the University of New England. Recent roles include Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara in The Nutcracker, The Harp in Beauty and the Beast, Dew Fairy in Hansel and Gretel, Puck’s Pixie in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the Summer Fairy in Cinderella.
Rachel Paradis
Instructor, Maine State Ballet Principal
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Rachel’s extensive ballet training began in Maine. She furthered her training at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and BalletMet as a trainee. MSB credits include the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, Harpsichord in Beauty and the Beast, Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and the Glove Seller in Can Can Parisien. She studies Marketing at the University of Maine.
Adrienne Pelletier
Guest Instructor, Maine State Ballet Principal
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Long-time MSB instructor and company member, Adrienne’s favorite roles include Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, the Can Can Doll in The Magic Toyshop, Cupid in Don Quixote, the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, and Swanhilda in Coppélia. She has degrees in Culinary Arts and Business Management from local universities and is an award-winning choreographer with the Maine Dance Center.
Farris Peterson
Instructor, Maine State Ballet Company Member
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Farris has been dancing with Maine State Ballet for over a decade, is a graduate of MSB teacher training program, and is excited to begin teaching this season. Favorite MSB roles include Corps de Ballet in The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Coppélia, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Emma Samuelson
Instructor, Maine State Ballet Company Member
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Emma is a graduate of MSB’s teacher training program and is beginning her 2nd year as a faculty member. She attends New England Bible College and is working towards a degree in Biblical Studies. Recent MSB credits include Demi Solo Flower in The Nutcracker, Demi Solo Spanish in Cinderella, Titania in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Slumber Fairy in Hansel and Gretel.
Trevor Seymour
Instructor, Maine State Ballet Principal
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Trevor studies Biochemistry/Public Health at UNE, is a graduate of MSB’s teacher training program, and beginning his 2nd year as a faculty member. They had the honor of training at the prestigious School of American Ballet summer program in NYC. Favorite MSB roles include Russian Cossack and Nutcracker Prince in The Nutcracker, Prince Charming in Cinderella, Franz in Coppélia, Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and The Major in Can Can Parisien.
Ali Spurgin
Instructor
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Ali began dancing at age eight and quickly found a passion for dance. She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance and a Business Administration minor. Ali has worked with the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Co., American Ballet Theatre, Trisha Brown Dance Co., Martha Graham Dance Company, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, and the Suzanne Farrell Ballet. She performed and choreographed in numerous dance productions including the American College Dance Association and currently judges competitive dancing nationwide.